The Oyo State Ministry of Health and the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, in collaboration with the Society for Family Health (SFH), have intensified efforts to promote self-care as a critical strategy for improving individual and family health, reducing the burden of preventable diseases, and achieving universal health coverage (UHC).
The 2026 Self-Care Month commemoration began with a radio phone-in programme to let listeners know that self-care isn’t a luxury anymore but an all-round approach to daily survival.
Speaking during the medical outreach session, the Reproductive Health Coordinator of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs Folasade Olatunde, who represented both the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board and the Oyo State Ministry of Health, described self-care as a comprehensive approach to maintaining physical, mental and social well-being.
“Self-care is about how an individual takes care of himself or herself. It starts with personal hygiene, a clean environment, healthy food preparation, adequate nutrition, regular exercise, and ensuring good mental, physical and social well-being. It is a holistic approach to health,” she said.
Olatunde encouraged people living with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes to regularly monitor their blood pressure and blood glucose levels where possible, noting that early detection enables prompt medical intervention and better health outcomes.
On mental health, Olatunde called for an end to the stigma associated with mental illness, stressing that mental health deserves the same attention as physical health.
She also urged women, in particular, to prioritise self-care despite their multiple responsibilities, warning that prolonged stress and inadequate rest could lead to serious health complications.
Also speaking, the Oyo State Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs. Anifat Romoke Adedeji, urged residents to take greater responsibility for their health through regular self-care practices, noting that self-care empowers individuals to identify health challenges early and seek timely medical attention.
Adedeji underscored the importance of self-care in family planning, explaining that women can safely use certain contraceptive methods independently after receiving proper guidance from trained healthcare providers. According to her, daily oral contraceptive pills and self-injectable contraceptives enable women to effectively space pregnancies and plan their families without unnecessary visits to health facilities.
She stressed that family planning does not prevent couples from having children but rather helps them decide when to have them and the number they can adequately cater for, thereby promoting healthier families and reducing economic pressures.
The Adolescent Desk Officer of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Mr Adeniyi Ademola, said self-care is equally important for adolescents, describing it as encompassing physical, emotional, social and mental well-being.
He encouraged young people to seek accurate information about their health, particularly sexual and reproductive health, instead of relying on misinformation from peers.
According to Ademola, simple practices such as getting adequate sleep, drinking enough water, recognising inappropriate behaviour and seeking help when necessary can significantly improve adolescents’ health outcomes.
He stressed that informed young people are better equipped to protect themselves, make healthy decisions and access appropriate care when needed.
The State Programme Officer for the Society for Family Health DISC 2.0 Project in Oyo State, Mrs Oluwabunmi Olajide, said the 2026 Self-Care Month celebration was designed to encourage individuals to take ownership of their health by knowing their health status, adopting preventive healthcare practices and making informed decisions about their well-being.
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Olajide explained that the outreach focused on reintroducing the concept of self-care through self-care walks/exercise, community health education and free health services, including blood pressure checks, weight and height measurements, body mass index (BMI) assessments, malaria RDT screening, random blood sugar tests, HIV screening and family planning services.
She said the initiative places individuals at the centre of their healthcare, empowering them to take proactive steps to stay healthy rather than waiting until they become ill.
She added that the SFH programmes also cater to women of reproductive age, adolescents, and men by providing access to youth-friendly reproductive health information, family planning counselling and methods, and community and male engagement sessions, stressing that equipping individuals with accurate health information is essential to building healthier families and communities across Oyo State.
The medical outreach recorded an average attendance of close to 200 women and over 100 men, highlighting a rising intentionality among men regarding their health. Sustaining this momentum through occasional self-care campaigns will further encourage this positive shift, promoting proactive mental and physical healthcare habits.
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